ZACC summons Masuka over shady TIMB loan

Nyashadzashe Ndoro

Chief Reporter

Zimbabwe's Agriculture Minister, Anxious Masuka, a twice-awarded top performing cabinet minister, is embroiled in a corruption scandal involving a US$397,000 loan allegedly obtained from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board without following proper procedures, with the anti-graft body, Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, launching an investigation into the matter, amid allegations of fraud, abuse of office, and prejudice to TIMB amounting to US$539,000, ZimNow can reveal.

The loan was allegedly advanced to Minister Masuka's company, Ultimate Accolade, by Patrick Devenish, the chairperson of TIMB, and Meanwell Gudu, the former chief executive officer (CEO) of TIMB, who were both arrested last week in connection with the matter.

This publication understands that Masuka was called by ZACC on Thursday to explain how the loan was fraudulently advanced to him. According to a source within ZACC, Masuka spent more than two hours being interviewed by the anti-graft organisation.

"These are big allegations. We are talking about half a million dollars. Two individuals have already been arrested over the matter involving the Minister. He (Masuka) is being interviewed. That's the process," a ZACC official who preferred to be anonymous stated.

Asked if ZACC had a plan to arrest the Minister, the source said they were still gathering investigating the matter.

"We are still in the process of gathering evidence and will not hesitate to take action if our investigations reveal any wrongdoing," the source stated.

Devenish and Gudu were arrested recently for allegedly conniving to advance the loan to the Minister without following properly laid down procedures. They have since been granted bail.

Devenish and Gudu were taken into custody last week on fraud charges, alternatively criminal abuse of office, for allegedly approving a US$397,000 loan facility to Ultimate Accolade without the knowledge of other board members.

The Herald reported that the loan, extended in May 2021, was reportedly misrepresented as part of the tobacco inputs credit scheme funded by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, despite the scheme having been discontinued.

The State alleges that Devenish and Gudu generated two contract agreements and instructed the special projects manager to sign them on Gudu's behalf, despite Gudu being out of office at the time. The loan was never recovered, and the board only became aware of it late last year.

Consequently, TIMB has so far lost US$539 000 with interest.

Separately, Gudu faces another charge of corruptly concealing a personal interest in a transaction involving Mukanya Jeremiah Logistics, a transport company contracted by TIMB. Gudu allegedly used his wife to orchestrate a deal where he would receive 10% of the total paid for his transport services.

TIMB company secretary Tariro Chitsunge was also arrested on criminal abuse of office charges related to a cell phone, tablet, and laptop tender. Chitsunge, Devenish, and chief finance officer Willard Zidyambanje (still at large) allegedly flouted procurement procedures, favoring Solution Centre, a more expensive supplier, and prejudicing TIMB.

Gudu, who was recently cleared of fraud charges related to the alleged misappropriation of US$2 million from the RBZ intended for small-scale farmers, is now facing new charges, a development that is likely to negatively impact his plan to retain his job.

Emmanuel Matsvaire, the acting CEO of TIMB who has his sights set on securing the role on a permanent basis, is said to have exposed the dubious deal involving the Minister. Interestingly, Devenish has previously opposed Matsvaire's attempts to take over the position.

TIMB has been without a substantive CEO for more than two years.

Simiso Mlevu, the Communications and Media Liaison Manager for ZACC, neither confirmed nor denied that Minister Masuka is being interviewed by the anti-graft body. She was unavailable to provide a comment at the time of writing.

Masuka did not pick up his phone during the time of writing.

The Minister is believed to be one of Mnangagwa's trusted officials. He has a strong military and academic background. Masuka has been in the agricultural sector for many years.

He was appointed as the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, and Rural Resettlement in August 2020, following the death of his predecessor, Perrance Shiri.

Masuka was named Mnangagwa's top Cabinet Minister two years in a row, in 2022 and 2023.